Windy Trails offers fun at reasonable price

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Spring is here and people in the Altus area are looking for outdoor activities to have fun with family and friends. Look no further than the Altus Air Force Base Windy Trails Golf Course.

For 2009, Windy Trails makes it affordable for individuals, families and guests of the base to golf. A weekend nine-hole fee now ranges from $5 to $13 depending on the person's rank or status. Also, the golf course has "family day" every Saturday and Sunday after 1 p.m. when kids play for free while playing with an adult.

"All anyone needs is an interest to play golf in order to have fun here," said Rusty Wortham, Windy Trails Golf Course manager. "We have everything anyone could possibly need to help them to start and improve their game. They still have to buy the golf balls, but they can rent everything else at a reasonable price. They can also buy golf clothes and equipment here."

Those who are too timid to try the sport because of the learning curve that comes with it do not need to worry here. Windy Trails offers tutorial clinics to build a beginner's confidence.

"It's not a strenuous sport to play so anyone can enjoy golf regardless of their physical condition and skill level, he said. "In our clinics we cover all of the different aspects of the game. We go over putting, chipping, pitching and then we go out on to the driving range where we'll work on the full swing. Beginners will learn about proper grip, alignment and posture. We're not going to make you Tiger Woods over night, but we're going to teach you all of the fundamentals."

For those who already know the basics and would like to improve their skills but their schedule or the heat is deterring them, the driving range is open 24 hours a day. Patrons can practice their golf swing at any time of the day they want to, Mr. Wortham said.

"The driving range is lit up at night, so if it's too hot in summer you can wait until it cools off," he said. "If you don't come into the building before we close to get a token for the range there's a machine (at the range) you can put a couple dollars in."

Once the beginner golfers feel confident enough in their abilities and are looking to challenge themselves, they can enter on of their monthly golf tournaments. The next golf tournament will be held April 11 and 12.

"We try to make it as fun as possible for our golfers here by changing the format of the tournaments each month," Mr. Wortham said. "This month we are doing the Master's Tournament which will be held in conjunction with the Master's Tournament in Augusta, Ga. We will pair one of our players with a pro who makes the cut in Georgia. After it's over we'll combine the scores to determine the winner.

Windy Trails also offers enticing packages and deals. For a list of prices and for more information, call 481-7207 or visit their Web site at http://altusservices.com/svr/golf/golf.htm.

"Come out and give us a try," he said. "If you don't know anything about golf we'll be glad to get you started."